Swedish Ambassador hosts lunch for female researchers in Mozambique

Ambassador Marie Andersson de Frutos with female researchers from UEM

Under the theme “Women in Science: Our contribution towards sustainable development and inclusion”, discussions focused on the researcher´s contribution to the country´s development.

A common challenge shared by many of these women is the decision to pursue their studies abroad whilst leaving their families behind. In addition to this, they face difficulties in accessing financing for their research projects, lack of collaboration with the private sector and poor infrastructural conditions to perform their scientific experiments. Despite all these challenges, the women all share a common perspective that the number of female researchers in Mozambique has increased substantially since the beginning of Sweden´s 40 year research cooperation with Mozambique, through the Eduardo Mondlane University.

Sweden recently signed a new agreement with UEM to strengthen the university´s capacity to generate scientific knowledge and increase research output and innovation for development. The agreement is approximately US$ 44 million (355 million Swedish kroner) and will be implemented over the next five years.